"Nor good weather, either."
With some impatience William demanded: "Now just what do you mean, Cyrus?"
"I mean, that in going and coming, there was no such thing as wind nor rain, nor sunshine. It was all twilight—a dusk that was almost darkness. It was a trackless, uncharted voyage. And not a shore to touch at."
"Then you crossed an ocean? It was all by sea?"
"No. There was no sea—no water anywhere."
This time William made no effort to hide his annoyance. He merely whistled, and walked away, toward the window.
"I don't blame you, Billy, for being enraged," and Cyrus also stood up. "But on my honor, I am telling you the truth. And I am willing to tell you anything except the exact location. Later on you will understand my reasons for being so secretive."
"Perhaps you can tell us," said Mr. Bressani, "in what surroundings you found it: whether under ground or above."
"Above. Just lying on the ground."